To Raymond and Marie, they are called "British expats" because the Times is a British paper and they are from (ex)Britian. In Spain, they would be referred to as British immigrants.

Similarly, Polish people here in Britain would be called expats when referred to by Polish people still in Poland.

Dave, Newry, Northern Ireland

Raymond wonder why Brits abroad are called expats, and other countries' nationals in Britain are called immigrants. Well obviously it is because God made Britons Mighty and will make us Mightier Yet.As every Conservative knows, God made people of Britain (Land of Hope and Glory) to Rule The World.

Eric Campbell, harrogate, uk

There is much more to life than property prices. If you are worried about property prices, do not buy in the first place, just rent and then prices never become an issue.

jim Wills, Brisbane, Australia

I agree with Terri. We moved to Hungary only 7 months ago but this is our home - quieter and more friendly than the uk - and we intend to stay here

peter, keszthely, hungary

There seems to be a consensus - falling property prices are a symptom of a credit squeeze, and do not affect the great majority of homeowners to any degree. Matters little if you live in Spain, uk or anywhere else.

Stuart, Palma, Spain

I have lived in France for two years and could not care less how much my house is worth.

This is where I choose to live and this is where I want to stay, so why do you link the "good life" to a property profit and loss account? Bizarre

terry, L'Absie, France

Again, this is only a problem if you are selling.. The question is, why have you bought the property anyway? If You bought it for your own use, the house doesn't get 20% smaller just because its market value droped... the house is actually the same size.. I don't understand all he fuss...

Rui, Lisbon, Portugal

And just as well for Mr Degan that he hasn't sold just yet. If he is upgrading then surely the upgraded home would depreciate at a greater $ amount than his existing one. Best wait until it bottoms out, and hope his new property - when he does move - will be considerably cheaper

Mikios, Hull, England

Nothing new under the sun. When prices fall out of bed, they fall out of bed.

Rolf Bjork, Marbella, Spain

With pound Eurto exchange rate working in their favour,they have not lost any GBP value and with price difference for a larger villa/house less than before they have seemed to have gained. Lots of winners except the buliders and banks who got greedy shame.......

Mike, London, UK

Couldn't agree more, Raymond. You don't have to be black, brown, or from Eastern Europe to be an immigrant. As for bothering to learn the language of the country you're living in, many Brits abroad make very little effort,but stil criticise immigrants into the UK for not having perfect English

Marie, Paris, France

For those who did not use the equity in their homes in the UK, or a mortgage, to buy their holiday home in Spain, don't have a problem. Good property at sensible prices are still being sold on the Costa del Sol. Local banks see people comg in, on a daily basis, handing back the keys.

Tm D. Wilkie, Nueva Analaucia, Spain

About time too. Most properties here in Spain are ridiculously over valued by estate agents, and, as in Britain, backed by financial institution's greed, by bumping up prices to ridiculous heights. The return to normality is overdue. Also young Spanish married couples can afford a home again.

B J Deller, Marbella, Spain

Who cares? If you are happy living there in Spain property prices are irrelevant.

Anne, Dundee,

With Gordon Brown determined to devalue the pound to one euro ,the property market prices in places like Spain has still along a long way to fall.
The credit crunch is here to stay for some years .

Chris Smith, East Sussex , UK